McNabb, Offense May Need to Carry Early Load

It's a good thing for Eagles' fans Donovan McNabb is so certain he can regain his footing relatively quickly. And that has very little to do with the fact the Eagles' star quarterback is returning from a career-threatening knee injury.

With the defense seemingly sputtering from the very first snap this exhibition season, McNabb and company are being called upon to carry much of the load until the revamped unit can find its bearings. Just when that might be remains a matter of conjecture.

Even veteran defensive coordinator Jim Johnson doesn't seem quite certain what to expect from his unit heading into the team's opener at  Green Bay. “We'll see what kind of football team we are,” he told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “We'll see how our linebackers are going to do, how healthy Jevon [Kearse] and people like that are. We'll see how this comes together this week, but I think it's still a work in progress."

Enter McNabb, tailback Brian Westbrook and wideout Reggie Brown. Though each of them played only sparingly during the preseason, the trio is now primed to take center stage in Philly's plans.  But it all starts with McNabb.

Over the coarse of his eight-year career in Philadelphia, the veteran quarterback has passed for averages of nearly of 2,800 yards and 17 touchdowns a season. Before being forced to the sidelines with the knee injury after ten games last season, McNabb had nearly eclipsed both marks, striking for 2,647 yards through the air and 18 scores.

The Eagles will need that can of production and more if they are to escape some of the early pratfalls that may indeed doom their defense.

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